Chapter 3

I pushed Aubery’s stuff to the living room. I noticed how the flowers in the living area has changed to her preference from lilies to roses. Our servants still remembered what flowers Aubrey preferred.

Someone had place a new pair of slippers for Aubrey in front of my bathroom. I took the slippers and tossed them out of my bedroom but it hit Lorenzo’s chest.

I wonder if he was here looking for me.

He looked disappointed. I know he always want me docile and submissive but it can’t happen always.

“She is our guest. You also know her. So, what’s the problem?” He looked at his limit by my action but still wanted to sound with a reason.

But I was no different. I was boiling inside too.

“I know her a lot better than you. This is why I want her out of here.” I had tears stuck in my throat.

“First, this is not your house, and second, if I heard a word more against Aubrey, you will be out of this house. Get her things back to our room. We will make her feel welcome. She is our best friend.”

I knew he was only saying it because I won’t leave. He always takes me for granted.

Lorenzo didn’t wait for my response and left for the party again as if this conversation was done for.

I scrolled through my email to look at the email from Princeton University. As if it was my way to remind me I was not useless.

I didn’t touch her stuff but I knew I didn’t need to. Ken was quick to snort once he passed my bedroom and was loud enough to tell me.

“We were told by Lorenzo that she should have the room facing the estate. Because the love of his life deserves the fresh air.”

I walked out of there because there was no point in getting an argument.

In two days, my home wasn’t ours anymore. Aubrey had her pictures everywhere in the living area, including a graduation picture that had three of us from high school. Even in the picture, I was standing far away from both Aubery and Lorenzo.

And, as if all of it wasn’t enough Aubrey had brought a cat with her. Everyone in this house knew that I was allergic to cats.

I was walking around with watery eyes all over the house. But Lorenzo couldn’t say no to Aubrey. I was preparing meals for him while trying to stand without sniffing, and was ironing his clothes sneezing several times in a few minutes.

Aubery walked into the living room wearing Lorenzo’s shirt. It was five in the evening. And, she was sleeping all day because Lorenzo and she had been talking till four in the morning.

Perhaps, she noticed me staring at the graduation picture. I tried to walk out of there because she was holding her car in her arms.

It was an irony how I had to leave my space whenever she walks in there because she couldn’t let that cat go.

She too stared at the graduation picture.

“You were standing so far away back then. Some positions can never be changed.”

“Then, why are you still so anxious?” I said straightforward.

My words hit Aubery’s nerve. But before she could say something Lorenzo appeared.

Aubery quickly went to Lorenzo’s side to take his coat and gave him the slippers. He smiled at her instead and didn’t even stop her.

But then Lorenzo looked at me and asked,

“Is the dinner ready?”

I wonder why he had to ask for dinner only. Couldn’t he greet me properly in front of Aubrey? Aubrey knew we both were married.

I sneezed and Lorenzo shook his head. “Why don’t you take some shots for allergy? You used to when Aubrey came with her cat. What’s changed now?”

What’s changed now was that this was my home now. I wasn’t accompanying my mother in her household chores anymore. I was his wife, and this was supposed to be my safe space.

I walked away and quickly set the table.

At the dinner table, I was sitting far away while Aubery was sitting next to Lorenzo. Even though she didn’t have her cat in her lap, she had cat’s hair all over her dress.

And, even though I was Mrs. Ricci, they just expected me to sit far away and adjust to their lifestyles and choices.

Aubery took the basil leaves from Lorenzo’s pasta telling him, “I know you hate these.”

Lorenzo smiled, “I eat them now. Hazel can make you eat anything.”

My whole body eased at the way he mentioned my name and looked at me.

 “Lorenzo, shall I play the next episode of GOT after dinner, the new episode is out.” I tried to gain my husband’s attention and hopefully his presence back into the room I was staying in now.

“I certainly don’t have time for this, tonight.” Lorenzo said and extended a gift box to Aubrey.

I was frozen when I saw the same premium doll I had asked Lorenzo to buy for me. And, he rejected saying it was childish.

Aubrey hugged Lorenzo telling him, “I wanted this for a long time.”

Then suddenly Aubrey looked around before looking at me. “Where is my cat?”

I frowned, “How would we know?”

“You are allergic to cats. Obviously you did something to my cat.” Aubrey started sobbing almost instantly. Anyone could tell she was faking it but Lorenzo.

“I am allergic but I don’t hate cats. I can’t even touch them.” I tried to explain but Aubrey wanted the drama.

“You are jealous of my cat because Lorenzo gifted it to me and I named her Aubrenzo after our names.”

Lorenzo looked at me suspiciously. I felt a sharp sting in my heart. I didn’t even know that Lorenzo had gifted her cat.

It was obvious Aubrey was here for a long time now and they were seeing each other behind my back.

“I literally saw you leaving your cat out in the lawn.” I seethed.

“Oh my God, you indeed have done something to my cat. She is lying, Lorenzo, nothing of this sort had happened. You know her; she always lies to get her way.”

Aubrey denied everything and Lorenzo looked at me exasperated.

“Calm down, we will find Aubrenzo.” Lorenzo wrapped his hand over Aubrey’s fisted to show his support.

I realized that it was a trap. I huffed and decided to walk away but Lorenzo grabbed my hand when I passed him.

“You won’t leave before you apologize. Accept what you did.”

“I have done nothing to apologize for.” I glared back at Lorenzo.

“You never wanted her to stay here. You have no idea what Aubery has been through while living in Germany. Just apologize to her and tell her that you don’t have any problems with her living here.”

I couldn’t help but get my eyes teary. Was Aubrey everything he could see?

“No one asked her to leave for Germany. She is all you can see, when you would look at me, Lorenzo. I am your wife…what more do you want from me?” I asked,

“Not everyone could be you who got an easy life marrying a rich man. And, what do you lack exactly?”

I was disgusted. Did he really think my life was easy? He knew everything. My lost pregnancies, my self-esteem problem and even constant taunts from the servants.

But he never made any effort to help me out from any of it. He was all about what he wanted and how he wanted. Could he really not see that I feel neglected in our marriage?

“Then, I won’t be rich’s husband wife anymore?” I almost told him without showing up any emotions on my face.

Lorenzo was shocked. Truly shocked and he should be, because I had never said such a thing.

But our moment was disturbed by Aubrey pulling me and shaking my body. Her one had held my wrist and her other hand held my arm.

“What did you do to my Aubrenzo?”

I was having difficulty in breathing finding Aubrey so close to me. It seems I was choking on my breath.

I tried to pull my wrist away but she wasn’t letting go. But then she let go all of a sudden and we both fell.

She fell because her ankle got tangled with my leg while I was falling.

“She kicked me, Lorenzo,” Aubrey shouted,

My belly hit the corner of the table before I fell, “Ah, my baby…” I couldn’t help the sob holding my belly tight. As if this act of mine could protect my baby.

Lorenzo lifted his hand up to help, but he didn’t immediately choose who to help.